Barcelona
were slow in defense and inexistent in midfield, most notably Schuster. The
squad was a pale shadow of the team that had eliminated Juventus. Barcelona
were missing Scottish striker Steve Archibald, Clos, Moratalla, Rojo (all
injured) and Ramon Caldere was suspended.

IFK
scored first in the 23rd minute. Johnny Ekstroem flicked with a
header Glenn Hysen’s cross to Torbjorn Nilsson to score.

Just
before halftime, in the 43rd minute, Nilsson and IFK doubled their
lead.

On
the right side, Ekstrom crossed into the box for Torbjorn Nilsson, who dribbled
past a defender and scored.

After
being (0-2) down at halftime, Barcelona tried to get into the match in the
second half, but by opening up they allowed a third goal.

Photo
From: Marca, April 3, 1986

(April
2, 1986, Champions Cup, IFK Gothenburg 3-Barcelona 0)

In
the 59th minute, Ekstrom took the ball towards the net on the path
of Tom Holmgren, whose shot went between Javier Uruticoechea’s legs from a
narrow angle on the left.

IFK
could have scored more, as Torbjorn Nilsson also hit the post and they had two
penalty kick appeals that were denied.

Barcelona
dominated the last ten minutes. Julio Alberto missed a good chance in a one on
one with Thomas Wernersson and Marcos Alonso also hit the post.

While
Barcelona blamed the state of the pitch (slippery), it had been obvious that
the much faster Torbjorn Nilsson and Johnny Ekstroem were too much for
Barcelona veterans Migueli and Jose Ramon Alesanco.

Gunder
Bengtsson said he knew Migueli and Alesanco were slow and they could surprise
on the counterattack. He felt the game had been won at midfield.

The
match went into extra-time. Barcelona had an appeal for a penalty kick for a
foul by Wernersson on Clos that was waived off.

The
match was finally to be decided on a penalty kick shoot-out.

After
seemingly falling behind, Barcelona once again rallied and against all odds won
the tie on a penalty kick shoot-out.

Their
goalkeeper Javier Uruticoechea came through at both ends. He saved Roland
Nilsson’s attempt and immediately scored from his own attempt.

At
the end of the match, Terry Venables was hoisted on his players’ shoulders.

IFK
Manager Bengtsson acknowledged they had met a strong Barcelona and
congratulated them in their triumph. He felt IFK had created some chances but
could not materialize.

The
enduring image of this match also remains a young Josep Guardiola celebrating
(he was one of the ball boys).

Venables
said afterwards, if he ever decided to write a book, his editor would throw it
in the garbage, as it was so unbelievable that even Hitchcock did not have so
much imagination.

Venables
was rewarded by signing a new one year contract extension with Barcelona after
being linked to Tottenham and Arsenal.

Initially
upon joining Barcelona, he had signed a 3-year contract with a clause to return
only to England. His new contract allowed him to leave after one year to
anywhere.

Barcelona
had qualified for the Champions Cup Final for the first time since 1961. The
Final in Seville that had seemed a formality was lost on a penalty kick
shoot-out vs. Romania’s Steaua Bucharest on May 7th, 1986 after a
scoreless match.

Afterwards
Schuster’s ongoing feud with Venables would reach a boiling point and he would
not play a single match the following season.

IFK
Gothenburg would build up on this performance. Despite losing Johnny Ekstroem
to Serie A’s Empoli in November 1986, the team would go on and triumph in the
UEFA Cup the following year in May 1987 vs. Dundee United.